Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh targets Rajinder Kaur Bhattal

As an ace shooter, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh picks his targets with care. So far, he has reserved his ammunition for the Akalis. Now, he has turned on his bete noire in his own party, Agriculture Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

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RAMESH VINAYAK

December 16, 2002

ISSUE DATE: December 16, 2002

UPDATED: July 11, 2012 14:00 IST

Quick on the draw: Amarinder Singh

As an ace shooter, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh picks his targets with care. So far, he has reserved his ammunition for the Akalis. Now, he has turned on his bete noire in his own party, Agriculture Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

Amarinder is trying to embarrass Bhattal in a case of misappropriation of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister's Fund.

Initially, a Bahtinda court refused to entertain the challan against Bhattal, but the Vigilance Department presented the challan at a Chandigarh court with unusual alacrity.

The moot point now is the high command's reaction. Amarinder's move came a week after party President Sonia Gandhi delivered a loaded message to feuding party leaders to cool off.

Amarinder could claim that it was a part of his anti-corruption drive, but the feisty Bhattal is unlikely to take things lying down. She has dashed to Delhi to plead her case. This time, Amarinder may have chosen the wrong target.

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